Jeanne Hachette

Bronze statue of Jeanne Hachette in Beauvais, by Gabriel-Vital Dubray

Jeanne Laisné (born 1456) was a French heroine known as Jeanne Fourquet and nicknamed Jeanne Hachette ('Joan the Hatchet'). She was the daughter of a peasant.[1]

All that she is currently known for is an act of heroism on 27 June 1472, when she prevented the capture of Beauvais by the troops of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. The town was defended by only 300 men-at-arms, commanded by Louis de Balagny.

The Burgundians were making an assault, and one of their number had actually planted a flag upon the battlements, when Jeanne, axe in hand, flung herself upon him, hurled him into the moat, tore down the flag, and revived the drooping courage of the garrison. In gratitude for this heroic deed, Louis XI instituted a procession in Beauvais called the "Procession of the Assault", and married Jeanne to her chosen lover Colin Pilon, loading them with favours.[2] As of 1907, there was still an annual religious procession on 27 June through the streets of Beauvais to commemorate Jeanne's deed.[3]

A statue of her was unveiled on July 6th, 1851 (see picture).[4]

In culture

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hilowitz, Beverley (1974-01-01). A Horizon guide: great historic places of Europe. American Heritage Pub. Co.; book trade distribution by McGraw-Hill. ISBN 9780070289154.
  2. ↑ See Georges Vallat, Jeanne Hachette (Abbeville, 1898).
  3. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Beauvais". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
  4. ↑ Walsh, William Shepard (1897-01-01). Curiosities of Popular Customs ... Illustrated.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Hachette, Jeanne". Encyclopædia Britannica. 12 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 793. 

49°25′48″N 2°4′56″E / 49.43000°N 2.08222°E / 49.43000; 2.08222Coordinates: 49°25′48″N 2°4′56″E / 49.43000°N 2.08222°E / 49.43000; 2.08222

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